Bridging



H. O. DAVIDSON BRIDGING Sept. 20,1927. 1,642,945

Filed Oct. 28. 1926 Patented Sept. 20, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY 0. DAV DSON, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BLAW KNox A COMPANY, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AooRroRA'rIoN on PENNSYLVANIA.

BRIDGING.

Applicationv filed October 28, 1926'. Serial No. 144,894.

. maintaining them in such relation.

Bridging of various types for use in connection with bothwood and steel beams iswell known. When wooden beams are used, the bridging usually comprises short 1 wooden braces. which are criss-crossed and" nailed between adjacent beams. Bridging for steel joists, as heretofore employed, has usually consisted of thin flat strips of metal woven over. and under alternate joists and pulled tight so that the strips are in tension only and the joists have to be kept spread apart or the outside joists kept in position by some other means.

When bridging is used which is capable of acting both in tension and in compres sion to maintain the beams in their proper relative position, such bridging has heretofore been of such anature that it has been necessary in fastening it to the beams to use in the beams and bridging and has required considerable time. for the fitting and setting up of nuts or rivets.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a present preferred form of my.

invention. In the drawings m Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portions of two I beams connected by my improved bridging,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the head of abeam showing one end of theYbrid gingsecured thereto; g

tongue 6. The tongue 6 is fastening means of some sort, such as nuts I provide bridging adapted to act both Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the bridg- 1 Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the bridging shown in Fig. 3; and,

- of Fig. 3.

In Flg. 1, I have shown two parallel beams -1 and 2. The bridging, indicated generally by the referencecharacter 3, is

in the form of metal strips. In order to strengthen the bridging so that it will act 1n compression as well as in tension, I provide a stamped-up longitudinal rib or strengthening member 4.

a plurality of holes,5, and between the holes and the center of the stri I provide a bent upwardly,

,5 is a cross-section taken on the line Adjacent one end of the strip, I provide I that is, in the direction of the upstanding rib 4. The tongue 6 provides a space for the reception of aflange of one of the beams 1 and 2. When the strip is being installed, it is placed between the beams with the end containing the tongue 6 and the holes 5 so placed that aflange of one beam lies between the tongue and the body of the'strip.

' The end of the strip will then be projecting across the head of the beam and ready to be bent around the same to hold the strip in place.

n appropriate tool, such as a drift pin 7, is then inserted into a hole 5, as shown in Fig. 1, and that portion of the strip pro-.

jecting beyond the flange is bent upwardly and around the flange.

At the opposite .end of the strip 3, I provide a plurality of holes 8.' Between the holes 8 and'the center of the strip I provide a plurality of tongues 9. These tongues are preferably left substantially in the plane of the strip 3 until the strip has been put in place. The drift pin 7 is then inserted in one ofthe'holes .8 and the end of the strip is bent around the head of the second beam. After both ends ofthe strip have thus been secured, one of the tongues. 9. is bent around the flan e of the second beam. The-small end of the drift pin 7 may be used for bending a tongue 9 around thefl'ange. I

.The rib 4 extends. substantially from beam to beam so as to reinforce the strip throughout its entire length. The tongue 6 is close to one end of the rib and in the center of the strip. The tongues't are disposed in two rows, one on each side of the rib 4:, and are in staggered relation with one another.

I preferably employ the brid ing members in crossed pairs. As each oi the members 3 acts both in tension and in compression, the beams are maintained rigidly in position against relative displacement in any direction.

In installing the bridging, a workman may work either from above or below the beams. It is preferable, however, that he work from above, planks being placed across the beams to supporthis weight while at-. taching the bridging. The workman will first secure the lower end of the strip about the lower head of one beam and will then bend the opposite end of thestrip about the upper head of the adjacent beam. He will then bend down the proper tongue 9 to lock the upper end of the strip in place.

I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is to be understood that itis not limited to the form shown but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bracing strip for structural members comprising a body portion, end portions adapted to be bent around the structural members and resist tension, means on the strip near one end thereof adapted to engage a structural member and resist compression, and means on the strip near the other end thereof spaced difi'erent distances from the 1 end and adapted to engage the other structural member and resist compression.

2. A bracing strip for. structural members comprising a body portion, end portions adapted to be bent around the structural members and resist tension, means on the strip near one end thereof adapted to engage a structural member and resist compression, means on the strip near the other end thereof spaced diflerent distances from the end and adapted to engage the other structural member and resist compression one of said end portions having a plurality of tool receiving means thereon.

3. A bracing strip for structural members comprising a body portion, end portions adapted to be bent around the structural members, means on the strip near one end thereof adapted to engage a structural memher and resistcompression, and a plurality of tongues on the strip near the other end thereof arranged in staggered relation and adapted to engage the other structural member and resist compression.

4. A. bracing strip for structural members, having means for attaching the strip to a structural member and having spaced means adapted to be projected to engage another structural member, any desired one of such spaced means being adapted for use to attach the strip to the second mentioned structural member.

5. A bracing strip for structural members, comprising a body and end portions, one end portion being adapted to engage a structural member, the other end portion having spaced means adapted to substantially embrace a portion of another structural member whereby the bracing strip is adapted for use with structural membersspaced different distances :1 art.

In testimony W ereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY O. DAVIDSON. 

